Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets completed as MVP runner-up within the 2022-23 season, however the five-time All-Star went on to win his first Finals MVP, NBA championship, and now Finest NBA Participant on the 2023 ESPYS.

In 69 begins of the 2022-23 season, Jokic averaged 24.5 factors, 11.8 rebounds, a career-high 9.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 33.7 minutes per sport. The eight-year veteran additionally shot a career-best 63.2% from the ground and 38.3% past the arc.

Per a number of NBA betting websites, the Denver Nuggets are the early favorites to repeat in 2024. Take a look at which sportsbooks are nonetheless exhibiting favorable odds for the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Phoenix Suns.

Nikola Jokic is taking dwelling the award for the ESPYS Finest NBA Participant 🏆 pic.twitter.com/6Q914mWGlA

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 11, 2023

Nikola Jokic, 28, joined Boston Celtics legend Larry Chook as the one gamers to common not less than 20 factors, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists for a profession in NBA historical past. Jokic would have turn out to be the primary participant since Chook (1984-86) to win three straight MVP awards.

Nonetheless, the two-time All-NBA member completed second in MVP voting behind Philadelphia 76ers heart Joel Embiid. In Denver’s 94-89 series-clinching win over the Miami Warmth in Sport 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals, Jokic turned the lowest-drafted participant in league historical past to win Finals MVP.

Jokic was chosen forty first general by the Nuggets within the second spherical of the 2014 NBA Draft. He handed Dennis Johnson, who was drafted twenty ninth general in 1979. Joker turned solely the third second-round decide to win Finals MVP, becoming a member of Willis Reed and Johnson.

Denver Nuggets famous person Nikola Jokic wins Finest NBA Participant at 2023 ESPYS after successful first Finals MVP, championship

Furthermore, the Nuggets heart joined Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon as the one gamers born abroad to win Finals MVP.

In 20 appearances of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Nikola Jokic averaged 30 factors, 13.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.0 block, and 39.4 minutes per sport. The 6-foot-11 heart additionally shot 54.8% from the ground and 46.1% past the arc.

Nikola Jokic is the 2nd participant to common a triple-double in series-clinching wins in a single postseason all-time (min. 2 video games).

He joins Magic Johnson, who did this in 1982 and 1983. pic.twitter.com/RVI0OiAxTr

— ESPN Stats & Data (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 13, 2023

The one NBA gamers to report Jokic’s playoff numbers at age 28 or youthful (not less than 1,869 factors, 820 rebounds, and 496 assists) are LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Chook, and Scottie Pippen.

Moreover, Jokic is the primary participant in NBA historical past to steer the league in factors (600), rebounds (269), and assists (190) in a single postseason. He’s the primary participant since James in 2020 to common 25 factors, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in 4 collection in a single postseason.

Nuggets teammate Jamal Murray wins Finest Comeback Athlete

Nuggets teammate Jamal Murray additionally received Finest Comeback Athlete on the 2023 ESPYS. The sixth-year guard missed the whole 2021-22 season because of an ACL harm. In 65 begins of the 2022-23 season, Murray averaged 20 factors and a career-high 6.2 assists.

“I wanna thank my household, my associates, my coaches, the entire Denver Nuggets group, all of the followers for having perception in me from the beginning. However I wish to give a giant shout-out to my teammates for serving to me get my confidence again,” stated Murray on the ESPY Awards ceremony.

“All season lengthy, all rehab lengthy, they supported me by means of the ups and downs with the rehab of the season, of the playoffs, which meant lots for me to get right here right this moment.”